Well I have had a fun few weeks even though Eventing is over; the boys are back in work and enjoying themselves.

Tuesday we popped to Germany for the day. A day’s training for myself whilst Emily my business partner has been horse shopping. Klaus Ropke and Henrik Griese gave us a fantastic day organising everything to make sure we could get the most out of the day. I don’t think we could have found the quality we saw in Germany in the uk even if we tried well not that amount of horses we would maybe find one or two but we would have had to travel up and down the country spending days in doing so.

Chesfield has had a few shows and lots of clients have had a go and did really well especially in the dressage take a look at What’s on at Chesfield its really nice for those who want a quite place to start there dressage carriers or for those who want a fun day out sj.

This week I went to look at a horse but he was not what I was looking for a 6 hour round trip for nothing so as I said before Germany is the way to go.

Wednesday I had a Julian Trevor Roper clinic at the yard he taught from 12 till 10 at night. My boys were great and feeling on top form, everyone enjoyed themselves and lots of homework was dished out.

Thursday we had another visit from our dentist Dene Andrews and our vets Chiltern Equine to sedate the naughty and frightened ones so everyone can have a nice experience, we also clipped 4 thank god Gregor is here to stay for a couple of weeks, Doug had some sedation so we could do his teeth safely then I put it to good use and finished clipping his head. Now I have two smart horses one to go.

Saturday we were invited to the Liddles for a day’s hunting with the cottesmore. They held the meet at their house, so we woke up early got the yard done then Emily, Gregor and I packed our hipflasks and riding things to get to Leicestershire for 9.30. I rode a lovely 5 year old called Basil and had fun pointing him at various hedges!!!

It was a lovely day until we decided to come home at second horses although we thought we had gone the opposite way to the hounds except they must have done a loop back on us and then we were in front of the hounds which is not allowed so we had to quickly jump home talk about an adrenaline rush but we managed to miss them thank god.

Sunday was a quiet day I took Gregor to pick his car up in Warwickshire so we had a four hour round trip with a pub lunch in the middle of all that...

Firstly I have to apologise I’m so late in fact 2 weeks opps time disappears sometimes. Well that’s it season over until I get out hunting hehe!

Now Oasby was a bit mixed Doug had a good last run before Aldon popped round the Open Novice.

Bouncer had a lovely clear SJ with a new combination nose band and bit in, except he was rather naughty XC, deciding to plummet me into the ground. He took off XC, not impressed! We were then stopped at fence 4 because there was a faller two fences on from me. I got the green light and off we went I tried to stay slow but after the hedge he took off again, I was on a galloping stretch where I thought right lets drop the contact, I won’t pull you and you shouldn’t pull me… so that didn’t work either I now have a big hill we went up and that managed to get him back we then came to a table three strides to and angled brush bouncer took off landed took one stride and took off again naughty boy I then decided to throw myself left and lucky I got out the way as he fell to the floor, my air jacket saved my neck and back but my poor hip was quite bruised, up I got ran off after bouncer who thought he better carry on with the job!! Anyway quick check over and he is sound as a pound, a shame to end the s eason like that. We think it happened as he was very unsettled after SJ as the warm up was carnage, so as I look back I see many reasons for his behaviour. He is now on holiday for a month.

Its Burghley week my favourite week of the year. Emily’s horse Cadoc Z is running with Andrew James so we are off to support and stay for the week very exciting!!!

It has been very busy at Chesfield, congratulations PWPC who I think are still over the moon from there gosling cup win amazing achievement.

Doug has been back eventing after a quiet month working on his jumping, getting a stronger canter. Thursday we went to Shelford Manor in Nottinghamshire where he performed a 34 dressage which we were happy with, an unlucky pole which was due to pure excitement. Before we managed to run XC we had an hour wait - Doug was very good and slept but when we went in to the start box he was shaking - it was lovely how happy he was, although I had to run slowly as he was too strong so picked up 13 time.

Saturday Julian Trevor Roper came to mine to give me a hand. We went right back to basics and looked at every part of Doug and pulled him and myself apart which was fantastic. We put my jumping stirrups down 4 holes it was a strange sensation, it took me a while to find my balance again… I then got on bouncer and we did the same we came to the conclusion that they both need time as they are big horses so it will all come together eventually so lots of hard work will be key to this.

After 4 and a half hours working on the horses I now have a lot to think about and producing my horses is going to take a lot of time but I’m prepared to wait.

Solihull on Sunday was a successful day with Doug doing a super relaxed test and a double clear put us in the lead right to the last to go so we ended up in 2nd place which is fab we are now qualified for a regional final next year so something to look forward to.

The week was spent getting ready for Milton Keynes and Highclere, although on Wednesday I went for a lovely drinks party in London so we got to dress up in our cocktail dresses and leave the jods at home - a nice break.

Saturday Doug had another good day being placing 8th in the Novice another good dressage and clear jumping just a few time penalties dropping out of the higher placing’s.

QE did his last event of the season he had a fab dress of 30 and clear XC he is such a bold horse if he was older I would be aiming him for a novice after just a few 100 runs, his show jumping was not the best do to people skipping in front of me which was very annoying I was quite angry but apart from that a lovely weekend the ground was great. Bouncer came for the ride and practise for Monday. When we arrived home he was all ready and we found out Highclere was cancelled which was a real shame.

I’m 16th on the waitlist for Blenheim so fingers crossed.

Good luck have fun at Burghley if your going! xx

Firstly Congratulations to my clients Katie Ball and Lucas completing their first BE 90 at great witchingham, Tiff Eggleston 1st on Four winds Romeo Burghley PC ODE and Emily Tollafield at Bury farm ODE 90 2nd on Doris double clear and 3rd on Finn DC (Went xc with one stirrup clear lost it at fence 5 and had 17 left she will tell you her views next week!!)

Last week it was QE’s BE debuting… what a super star 6th in the 4 year old class totally unfazed by everything. On Wednesday we went to Keysoe to hire the SJ on grass and then went round half the intro till the water I then thought well you’re going so well let’s try the pre novice track and he flew round, thank god I did I had not been to Tweseldown since bounce went as a 5 year old, the intro was the old pre novice, I said my baby 4 year old can’t do this, but he cantered round without any fuss.

This week I have had some viewings been SJ, eventing and luckily some help from a friend to ride some of the beasties.

Wednesday we went back to Keysoe to practise SJ in our new bit Doug seemed to like it had an unlucky pole in the 1.15 but jumped nicely I had the first on bounce in the 1.20 but he did come in to the ring bouncing like a 4 year old he just loves to play but when you come to the fence bouncing with not a lot of canter you have it down opps!!!

Thursday tiff took the Romeo and Rocket xc schooling at Aylesford as she is eventing them while she is on holiday they were super for her this carried on to Sunday and a big congratulations to her “winning” her section with a “22 Double clear” in the 90 at Burghley they are at Stafford BE90 next week good luck.

Doug went to Brightling CIC** although it was so muddy so we didn’t run xc (really wanted to) as he didn’t show jump great due to him being sharp and not listening the joys of youngsters but he did a qualifying dressage and kept his cool.

Bounce is in the 8/9 yos Advanced class on sat so will let you know how that goes and QE is at Carlton BYEH qualifier.

Good luck to everyone

This last two weeks have been super I am just going to keep it quick as I am back at Queenholme for the week for some training with Mark and Tanya Kyle, before the weekend where both boys are stepping up a level at Burnham Market - Doug to Intermediate and Bouncer too Advanced.

Well Baileys have chosen there winner; congratulations to Emily Tollafield who won from my lot. We are both very grateful for the fantastic opportunity from Baileys and Equine Affairs. I would just like to thank them for this competition as it is so beneficial to both horse and rider, we are both looking forward to the day with Gareth Hughes.

I have been travelling again last weekend was Belton what a super weekend with Doug doing a better test and jumping double clear over a well built and up too height course. Bouncer excelled himself to score a 38 and double clear to put us in 5th place so I was very happy.

Last week I had my last Mark Ruddock lesson till after Burnham and he was super – we really perfected his half pass and making sure we have it looking consistent and the same on both reins.

Wow what a busy two weeks as always, this weather can really get you down one minuet it’s -10 and an ice rink the next we have a blizzard and a foot of snow.

Last week I just had a few dressage lessons and played in the school. The girls started to tidy up Bouncer and he is now walking for 1 hour twice a day, he will now have another week walking then two weeks lunging.

Then I will brave to sit back up on him. We bring the Eventers back in really slowly to ensure their tendons are sufficiently hardened off and their muscle tone over their backs develops evenly as they have completely lost all fitness on holiday.

The weekend saw our pony club and Christmas games with many of our younger liveries joining in, it was the first time the pony club had used the school since the new surface and we had lots of compliments. The over 12s had to do their races bare back it is fantastic to see pony clubs doing this again as it develops a better seat and more secure balance. A couple jumped 1.20 bear back well done!!!

Wednesday brought a dressage bonanza we went to Keysoe in the morning to come 2nd and 3rd gaining a higher percentage than the other week, I changed his noseband to a drop and this seems to help and has made him much lighter in his head carriage. In the evening I took Hannah one of my working pupils for their Christmas present we went to see the dressage to music it was so inspiring just a different world (we brought season tickets so I have been 4 times). I had a busy day Friday waking up early to get to Leicestershire to get an order of rugs and new work bridles so Christmas arrived early for my ponies. I then travelled to London with Emily to see the puissance in London where Ben Maher had a fantastic win. Saturday we were busy in the morning I de-iced the yard and in the evening I was a human snow shuffle so I could use the walker - the joys of winter!!

Sunday I got up early to do the yard as I was snowed in. I managed to still make it back to Olympia and had some drinks with friends stayed in a hotel due to the weather conditions and not wanting to take 5 hours to get home, we watched some fantastic jumping classes as well as doing some Christmas shopping. I’m now ready to start jumping some big classes at the end of Jan, so till then I hope everyone has a fabulous Christmas and Santa brings you all what you want - take care…

So last time I was waiting for my skip to arrive and it has. Its almost full - well with the old school lights. So now we have daylight in the indoor school which makes an amazing difference and we have freshened our tea room up which is now clean and tidy - all I want is a nice oak kitchen table to sit round please!!

So last week we took the horses to the opening meet at Brent Pelham - that was exciting. I took the Grey 7 year old and the Dun 4 year old. What well behaved horses; no one could believe the Dun was only 4 and they were very complementary.

So Wednesday brought more hunting and that was good fun with Dawn taking out Murphy the 5 year old and him also being a super boy so I have 3 lovely hunters in. I am getting a little attached to Romeo he is just so much fun. We then had all our photos for Baileys taken and Doug looks so well its fantastic.

We had a dressage competition at Chesfield where I sent one of my pupils in on Murphy. I think Hannah was more nervous than him as he took to it like a duck to water so that was nice. He had to do the novice as there was no room for him in the Prelims - poor Murphy.

So next week brings more fun - I am off out with the Readyfield. I got a little far a head of my self and thought Sunday the 14th was yesterday but unfortunately not so next Sunday im going to get my adrenaline fix. And our horse walker is being done all exciting. So take care and will bring more stories in two weeks.

You can view the 3 wonderful horses I currently have for Sale below and Equine Affairs have started work on my new website which is very exciting - www.kceventing.com

Well where do I start, I’m kirsty I’m 21 and have just taken over as managing partner at Chesfield Manor Stables. What a busy week!! Although I’m currently not working, and meant to be having a few quite weeks, it certainly doesnt feel like it. I have been in an aeroplane twice in one week. To Ireland horse shopping and Germany for a competition yard opening.

To start the week off I travelled up north to Allerton to do the Novice with my young horse Dougall DG aka Doug. He performed well with a 38 dressage which was respectable; a pole show-jumping - it was such a controlled rhythmical round Tanya Kyle my ex boss of two weeks commented on what a lovely round it was and I should be pleased, we haven’t seen many of those this season, he started a little keen shall we say! Then a fantastic cross country course built by Ian Stark certainly one of the stronger Novices this season. Doug went clear with time which just dropped him out of the placings, this run has set us up well for Little Downham.

So Wednesday brought drama what with a member from our stables taking a tumble out hacking and us having to rescue her - to me driving up to Queenholme ready for our 4am start to get to Ireland - my friend Olivia Holloway, soon to be my head girl, managed to forget her passport! Her brother had to meet her half way bearing in mind she lives near Preston (nice brother) lets hope she doesnt forget my horses passports when we go travelling. So Ireland was a success what with viewing over 30 horses and riding about 18 between us I brought three and Livi came home with two. I also brought one for my business partner (hope she trusts me). We also went to Johnny and Gillian Kyle’s to see the famous Saliorman and “Step In Times” mummy so that was also very exciting we went round the whole stud and viewed all the horses from foals to 7 year olds.

After getting back late Thursday I stayed at Queenholme as Friday I rode Bouncer’s relation a lovely 4 year old. Then I went to see the hairy man who now looks bay due to all the mud on him, Bouncer is there on holiday after his long season. I then got back, saw Doug, and flew out to Germany where on Saturday all day there was an opening (and of course a party) of this new establishment called Falkental. All I can say is I was speechless! You name it, they have it! A glass indoor school with international size arenas - well we all can only dream about having these facilities! I will try and get some photos up, so with 500 people being there I have made some good friends this weekend and contacts.

So as I have been thoroughly busy this week I will leave you, have fun and hope you all have a good two weeks. I am now going to wait at the yard for this Irish lot to arrive tonight will let you know how they all get on.

I'm an experienced rider trainer, availiable for training at Chesfield Manor Stables.
Our facilities include an Indoor School with Mirrors & Show Jumps
plus an Outdoor School & Cross Country Course.
Training available for all ages and abilities.
I'm also available for Schooling, Competing & Producing Horses to Event/ Sell.

For further information please call me on 07795 363837 or Email: kirsty@kceventing.com
www.kceventing.com

This year I completed my first CCI** at Blair Athol where I came 14th with a double clear and to top it off won the prize for moving up the most places after dressage. I have now qualified CIC*** and I’m aiming for Blenheim 8/9 Year olds next year. My other young horse started his career this year and is now qualified CCI*.

My exciting new venture has just started and I’m now concentrating on producing young horses to event and sell. I plan to start teaching and developing horses and riders to that next level.

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